2009 Waters Syrah from Forgotten Hills vineyard is a wine that only comes along once every four years, so we were delighted to secure a few bottles for our cellar.

As winemaker Jamie Brown says, “This vineyard dances along the edge” because it is a cooler site composed of cobblestone, silt loam and sandy loam.

In the cool-climate years, the Syrah can’t get ripe enough. That’s why this exquisite wine was not produced in 2008, 2010 or 2011. And that’s one reason why we think it’s special.

The other reason: wow, this 100% Syrah is stunning, spectacular and stellar, complex with a perfect amount of earthy funk that represents the region.

According to our friend Paul Zitarelli of Full Pull Wines: “Because the folks at Waters know they won’t be able to release a new vintage of Forgotten Hills Syrah until 2013 at the earliest, they are holding the vast majority of the 2009 at the winery, to be doled out slowly through the tasting room over the next few years.”

From Jamie’s tasting notes: “Loaded with classic aromatics that scream Northern Rhône, expect notes of black fruits, oil-cured olives, smoky bacon fat and a gravelly minerality. Rich, ripe, round and pleasure-full, this wine leaves you wanting more. And the finish gives you just that—it’s so long, you’ll find yourself begging it to fade, just to have the next sip. A remarkable red plum-acidity provides a refreshing, balancing levity to a deliciously, deep and brooding wine. A gorgeous match for roasted meats.”

Only 514 cases were produced and because of its rarity, the price has increased to $60-$65, depending where you can find it.

If you have a special occasion in the future, this wine is for you.

Cheers!